Taniesha Shanae Hughes

Taniesha Shanae Hughes was born on January 18, 1977, to Sammy and Karen Jones Hughes. Taniesha accepted Christ at an early and joined the Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Bearden, AR, under the leadership of Rev. F.O. Jones. Taniesha was active in church, attending regularly with her family. She was involved in the youth department and sang in the youth choir.

Taniesha completed her education at Bearden Public Schools, where she was involved in many extracurricular activities. Her passion was sports and she excelled in basketball. She was a proud graduate of the Class of 1996.

Following graduation, she relocated to Arkadelphia, AR, where she was employed at Petit Jean. She later moved to Memphis, TN, and worked at Central Defense until her health began to deteriorate.

Whether on the court, her job, or dealing with her health issues, Tanisha was a team player and never gave up.  She loved people and was the life of the party. Her gift was making people laugh and putting everyone at ease through humor and good conversation. She always loved to talk! She enjoyed dancing, fishing, as well as playing cards and dominoes. She was very good with children, often spending a lot of time with her nieces, nephews, cousins, and God-children. She was always a big supporter of her family, friends, and her hometown of Bearden. If there was a game, wedding,  homecoming, reunion, funeral, or any gathering, she would be there! You would hear her talking, laughing, or on the right occasion, barking! She was not going to leave until you received a hug or a fist bump.  She was a big Philadelphia Eagles fan and loved to yell for the “Eagles!” in person and on social media.

On December 30, 2023, Taniesha departed this game of life and soared into eternity. She was preceded in death by her father, Sammy Hughes Sr., and her grandparents, Zelouse and Dillie Jones, Annie Sue Henson and Louise Tate.

She leaves to cherish her memories her mother, Karen Hughes of Bearden, AR; one sister NaTasha (Kevin) Donald of Memphis, TN; two brothers, Courtney (Michaela) Hughes of Memphis, TN, and Sammy Hughes Jr. of Pine Bluff, AR; one niece, Tyunna Hughes;  two nephews, Kedrick Donald, and Ashton Hughes and one God son, Kharion Robinson, all of Memphis, TN; one great aunt, Minister Verla Purifoy of Rockford, IL; ten aunts, Mary Ann Cone of Fordyce, AR;  Tocha Flowers of Rockford, IL; Tina (Lawrence) Gregory of Arkadelphia, AR; Mary Lou (Michael) Hubbard of Princeton, AR; Linda Hughes of Sparkman, AR;  Norma Jones of Conway, AR; Annie Mae (Shelton) Perry of Fordyce, AR; Sandra Morris and Vanessa Roberson, both of Bearden, AR; Marilyn Morris (Marvin) Hawkins of Rockford, IL; four uncles, Frank Henson of Princeton, AR;  Billy Wayne (Sue) Morris of Pensacola, FL;  Eric Tate of Jacksonville, FL and Tony Tate of Arizona. She also leaves a special sister/cousin Kimberly Perry; best friend Kisha Jeffries and a host of cousins, family members, and friends.

Submitted by the family.

Public visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Williams Funeral Home Van Buren. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Sheldon B. Williams, eulogist. The interment will be at White Springs Community Cemetery.